[borisivan]

Hi,

I'm looking at purchasing a 335xi, and have been reading the forums for the past couple days, and have a couple of questions:

(1) Sounds like there were a few 'fixes' made in 2007.5 --- so, if I'm at a dealership looking at their stock, how can I tell if the 335xi I'm looking at is a 2007.5........ or an older 2007?

(2) Sport package --- I've read conflicting information re: what this provides, and I think maybe it provides different functionality in the i vs. the xi? Anyway, for the xi..... what does it change besides the tires? Does it change the handling/suspension? If all it does is put on Y/Z rated tires, and increase the top speed governor, then I might pass on it. But if it changes the handling/suspension, then I will want to check this out further.

(3) Fuel pumps / oil coolers --- sounds like these are affecting a number of owners. Is there a recall for either, or just 'they'll deal w/ it if it's still in warrantee?'

Bonus question: I live in NH ---- has anyone had good luck re: pricing at any dealerships near southern NH? Reading people's success stories seem to indicate the best deals being ~ $500 over invoice. Has anyone had any luck with this in southern NH?

Thanks for your help!

[elucas730]

1) Ask for the build date? Look for something after March/April 07
2) Sport package on the xi does not include the sport suspension.
3) No recall, pretty much deal with it as it happens.

[borisivan]

re: #2, does that mean it's not available at all on the 335xi? Or, does this mean that it's simply not included in the sport package, but available via some other option code?

[Driver72]

Yes, seems they began to make the 2007.5 changes to cars sometime in late March. Too be safe, look for an April 2007 or newer build date.

It's sort of up in the air as to the fuel pump issue.
I've been told that after March 2007 there is a new part number for the "improved" fuel pumps.
Apparently they are the same pumps but the manufacturer made a change to the part of the fuel pump that is causing the failures.

However, there have been a couple failed fuel pumps still in cars made beginning April 2007 and newer. But as far as I know it's only been like 2 on these forums.
99% of the failures have taken place on cars built prior (or in) March 2007.

True cars built in April 2007 and newer don't have a lot of miles on them yet, but some surely have several thousand and only hearing about 1 or 2 seems to suggest that in fact they did improve the fuel pumps.

[scb]

Originally Posted by borisivan

(1) Sounds like there were a few 'fixes' made in 2007.5 --- so, if I'm at a dealership looking at their stock, how can I tell if the 335xi I'm looking at is a 2007.5........ or an older 2007?

they 335xi model started out as a 2007.5 as you call it. they were first produced in march. you can't get an older one

[EDK99]

Originally Posted by elucas730

2) Sport package on the xi does not include the sport suspension.

Yes that is right but the xi suspension is different then the standard suspension. xi's have their own suspension setup.

Ed

[Kruz]

Sport package also add sport seats for the XI which IMO are much more comfortable and supportive. Upping the governor is still not confirmed. IMO you need the sport package AND package 2DA (18" wheel + summer tire) to get the 150 or whatever top speed.

My 2007.9 xi 6MT with sport and 2DA and hopefuly an oil cooler is on a boat heading my way.

[catdog]

I am also considering a 335xi; any thoughts regarding handling vs. 335i, i know it's heavier by about 200lbs but does it handle significantly worse or is the added traction worth the added weight?
Anyone out there with a 335xi to help push me towards or away from choosing it vs. straight 335i? I am concerned about poor traction of 335i without lsd, will probable add procede/equivalent and in winter time roads are somewhat slippery in northeast but had no problems in my e46m3 or e60m5 when fitted with good snow tires and have not been overly impressed with handling of wife's 530xi. What are your experiences with 335xi when it comes to handling etc.

BTW looked at a bunch of 335xi at dealership with sport package and build date of 5/07 and none had the oil filter...

[Sea2Ski]

I have a 335I, and when took it into the shop for inspection, they gave me an xi. I did not like it at all compared to the i. The xi only had 250 miles, so it is not as though it was already beaten up. While you might get more traction in snow and ice with the xi, to me, the other "nice" days of the year (whic account for >95% of the time) I would rather have the RWD over the AWD on the other 5%.

my .02 cents...

[catdog]

thanks, what part did you not like about the xi, did it feel slower? heavier? was handling less nimble? please elaborate if possible, and thanks for taking the time to help

[btinl]

I drove both the 335i and 335xi. I did not feel that great of a difference in handling. The xi definitely launches better (more traction). The i sport suspension is nicer however.

When you test drive the 335xi, ask your salesman to let you test the X-drive. Come to a complete stop at a stop sign or light, then floor it and make a quick turn. You can feel the power shift from the rear wheels to the front wheels to pull you out of the turn. Also, if possible, try to testdrive during a rainy day.

[catdog]

btinl, is yours a 6spd or auto? any difference in outright acceleration when on the move if you can remember? i know xi seems faster to 60 per bmw

[btinl]

Originally Posted by catdog

btinl, is yours a 6spd or auto? any difference in outright acceleration when on the move if you can remember? i know xi seems faster to 60 per bmw

Mine is step. I did not notice much of a difference in outright acceleration.

[btinl]

Originally Posted by Cargo8

have you considered an audi s4?
or is hte extra $ not an option? likely the s4 is a bit faster than the 335xi, i think.

The S4 is a great car, but it's a gas guzzler V8 and very heavy. I'm fairly certain it's not faster than a 335xi. I know that the 335i was faster around the track than the RS4.

[catdog]

The S4 is getting old and the 335xi would seem to be perfect, nice tunable engine, great torque, a solution to lack of lsd and inability to lay down the torque especially on poor surfaces, on the other hand can't get the sports suspension and it is getting close to 3900 lbs! which is very heavy and defeats the purpose of the 3 series vs. something like the 5 series... thus the conundrum.

[munters]

I owned a Audi S4 B5 (2.7 Biturbo) and a Audi RS4 B5. Drove the S4 B6 (V8) and RS4 to decide what I buy BMW or Audi.
Finally I bought the E91 335XI. The BMW without the Procede is slow like a duck… but with Procede pretty cool.
The only reason I bought it, was the turbo setup and procede. If you compare it, we are again in those many times discussed subjective differences.
Drive all 4 (S, RS, Xi, i ) of them and you will see. But think (while you drive) Procede is out there!!!!

Those are my 02 cents
Marcel

[elucas730]

Originally Posted by catdog

I am also considering a 335xi; any thoughts regarding handling vs. 335i, i know it's heavier by about 200lbs but does it handle significantly worse or is the added traction worth the added weight?
Anyone out there with a 335xi to help push me towards or away from choosing it vs. straight 335i?

The 335xi is heavier and also not as balanced as the 335i (more weight over the front wheels). The RWD version feels lighter and more nimble; however, with the AWD you can mash on the gas pedal much earlier in a turn (generally good for people who don't know how to drive).

As far as winter driving, a 335i with winter tires will be great for the vast majority of drivers out there. AWD helps you to get going, but doesn't help you turn or stop (which is much more important) - that's what winter tires are for. If you are just puttering around town, you will be fine with RWD and winter tires. If you drive up to Vermont for skiing, you'll be better off with the AWD. You will need snow tires either way.

Originally Posted by catdog

btinl, is yours a 6spd or auto? any difference in outright acceleration when on the move if you can remember? i know xi seems faster to 60 per bmw

People here are hitting ~4.8s 0-60 with the 335i. 335xi is right about the same thing. You have to realize, however, that to get that number with an xi involves a high-rev clutch dump, which may (or may not) be harmful to the transmission and axles. To avoid wheelspin with the 335i, you launch at a much lower rpm and feather the throttle rather than mashing the gas pedal. Once the two cars are rolling, the 335i will be faster since it weighs less and has less hp losses through the drivetrain when compared to the AWD version.

[vte90]

Originally Posted by borisivan

Hi,

Bonus question: I live in NH ---- has anyone had good luck re: pricing at any dealerships near southern NH? Reading people's success stories seem to indicate the best deals being ~ $500 over invoice. Has anyone had any luck with this in southern NH?

Thanks for your help!

I am paying $500 over invoice for my 335xi. The deal came because my family has bought about 12 cars from the dealer over the last decade. There are deals out there - shop around!

[catdog]

Hi, I just test drove 3 cars, all xi first 328xi/manual and then 335xi/step and finally 335xi/manual.

328xi was nice but felt heavier and slower than my brother's 325i (2006)

Then when i got in the 335xi/auto it was a real revelation, this thing is an absolute torque monster, and it really feels like driving a torquey v8 with the auto tranny always there ready to fly. I then deactivated dsc to find out it the xi will still spin its tires and after mashing the throttle it spun the rears a little before just catapulting forward; then removed completely (5 sec push) and drove in an empty parking lot and when you floor it, the tires still lose traction for a fraction of a second, it is just sick...honestly i am quite impressed at this point (btw i drive a 997S now and the 335xi auto is quite easy to drive very fast, you just floor it and go, even in D and more so in DS)

So now i am sold on the 335 vs. 328 and decide to try the 335i/manual to see if which i preferred and the car drove very nicely but it did not have that immediacy of the torque and right gear from the step, it was more work (obviously) and somehow did not seem to work as well with this car. I think it is very easy to go very fast in the step (again obviously) and i am not sure it is really worth getting the 6spd in this type of car unlike a p-car/m3 for instance.

Question to y'all now is 335xi manual vs. step? I went in thinking 6spd now it seems maybe the step. BTW i don't know how you guys keep from losing traction in the 335i 2wd especially if you don't have the wider sport wheels in the back, this car is a torque animal even in stock form.

[catdog]

About the relevance of the xi vs i i think in the 335 it would really help to have the xi to lay the power down in nasty weather rain/slush and living in NE i am going to go with it at this point even though the car becomes heavier, it clearly was very fast and reached 100mph before i could notice. Will be using winter tires since as you have mentioned and everyone should know, the type of tire makes the whole difference at low temps/snow and awd is just to put the power down not to steer or brake.

[BKsBimmer]

Glad to see you doing your homework and actually test driving the xi rather than blindly accepting the opinions of regular i drivers who in most cases have never even driven an xi. They're only speculating based on what they think they know about AWD vs RWD. Good job!

[elucas730]

When are you going to drive a RWD version to compare?